We don’t like to define ourselves by what we are against. We aren’t against skyscrapers, development, luxury housing, or cars. We are for places. There is no one human scale, but by engaging in a placemaking process, we can find the scale that works for every community.
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Communications Associate nstorring@pps.org Nathan works with the communications team to write content for PPS. He also coordinates the Placemaking Leadership Council and provides administrative, design, and communications support for the Bass Initiative for Innovation and Placemaking, a collaboration between PPS and the Brookings Institution. Prior to joining PPS, Nathan provided freelance writing, design, audio, video, [...]Read More

A report from the 2015 Walking Summit: "The movement is expanding from walking as a way to improve public health to walking as a human and civil right, a moral imperative. A community that is walkable for everyone means less disenfranchisement and more connection.”Read More

We spend a great deal of time here at PPS talking about a Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC) approach to public space problems. We believe LQC offers great options for communities when the dominant top-down planning approach makes implementing any changes, no matter how small, nearly impossible. But what happens when a problem is too big for these low-cost, speedy solutions?Read More

Back to Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper resource Videos (YouTube Playlist) Publications Places in the Making How placemaking builds places and communities. Author(s): DUSP team lead by Susan Silberberg The Great Neighborhood Book What transforms a dingy, inhospitable area into a dynamic gathering place? How do individuals take back their neighborhood? [...]Read More

Albany, NY - Standing amidst acres of granite paving and empty benches, with four imposing grey towers behind her, United States Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced plans this week for a set of important amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act.Read More

It’s tough for towns to thrive if people everywhere else think they’re frozen, lonesome tundras where everyone hibernates 3-5 months a year. And this problem is becoming more acute as the Millennial Generation begins to take over from the Baby Boomers, who are retiring in droves. The Millennials are the first generation that reports they will choose a good place over a good job. So winter cities need to keep themselves attractive and fun 52 weeks a year, or else. Read More